Luke's Secret Art 13**
Luke's Secret Art
**
Chapter 13
**
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
**
Written By: Justin Case
Edited By: Ed
**
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
**
September 18, 2001
**
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
**
Disclaimer: This story is about young gay love, you must be of legal age to view this material. If you find this subject offensive, then do not venture any further, you may leave the site on your own volition. This work is the creation of the author, and is pure fiction. The writer, his editors, and the publishers accept no responsibility for the actions of the reader, either before or after viewing this art. ©2001JCPCo
**
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
**
SoapBox®: Hello, to all of you. It has been a while, and I have missed you all terribly. I have been so busy with my real life; I have had little time to write. I assure you all, it wasn't for the lack of desire. I did manage to get two chapters written and posted in the past three months. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how you look at it; it was another story I am working on, not Luke. I know many of you like this one the best. I rather like all my stories. Hehe :) ! If you're interested, my latest work is called `Intertwined' and it can be found at my website http://Justinscorner.Homestead.com in my library, or at http://nifty.org in the relationships section of the gay archives. Like I said, I have only managed to write the first two chapters, but I think you may like it. If you care to write me the address is still the same Justin69SK@aol.com . I still answer all my mail, while lately it has taken me some time to get back to you; I can honestly say I have answered all my letters and the mailbox is empty right now. I hope to be back on line regularly in the next week or so, and hope to hear from you all. Thanks so much for following my work.
Love to you all. As always, but not forever, Just, Justin<>
**
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
**
The next few months flew by, before I knew it spring break was here. I don't know about you, but while I may hate Christmas and the commercialism, I love the time of year when the thaw has happened and the birds return. The crispness in the air, that you can almost taste as you breathe, is so refreshing after a hard winter in New England.
I don't know; it could have been that I finally had someone else to share my life with, really share myself with, that made me so happy. Travis and I had become inseparable, every day we would get together and go whipping around in his Acura, all through Boston. Whenever I was with him, he made me feel so important, and secure. I would sit in his car and watch the towering buildings pass us by, and couldn't help but keep my eyes fixed on his smooth baby face, and those perfect lips that I had learned to love and kiss. He still would always ask me, "What, is something hanging off my face?" when he caught me staring at him, to which I always laughed.
I think it was about the middle of the week, the day we pulled into the parking garage near my family brownstone. I was totally engrossed in thoughts of Travis and his upcoming art show. Oh, I forgot to tell you, he had been discovered, so to speak. Actually, his art teacher had a friend that owned a gallery near Fenway Park, and the teacher arranged the show for Travis. Travis was excited, and nervous, because the teacher actually knew some `real' people, and some of them were expected to view the show. I don't really remember what day it was; I just remember that when we walked into my house my grandmother was there.
"Hello, Luke, and Travis, how handsome you look," Grandmother said, unable to hide her uneasiness.
"Hey, Mrs. Rogers, what brings you into town?" Travis quipped, as he leaned towards her to give her a hug.
"My car," she replied as she hugged him back, and winked at me over his shoulder.
"Really, is that old thing still running?" I joked.
"Be careful, Luke, it maybe the only transportation we'll have," she said, her voice began to quiver.
I felt my heart, as it beat dully in my chest. My mouth went dry, I was afraid to look at her, finally I asked, "Is it that bad?"
"I'm afraid so, Mr. Scheck called your mother yesterday. I came as soon as I could. It seems as though we'll have to sell the house to pay the IRS. I don't want you boys to worry; we'll get through this. Luke, you need to be strong for your mother, she needs you now more than ever," Grandmother said, as she grasped both of my hands in hers. Her hands felt so soft, yet strong.
I didn't know what to say, my mind was full of questions, but I was afraid to ask them for fear of sounding dumb. I said nothing.
"Luke? Luke? Is that you, dear?" my mother's voice called from the pink room.
Grandmother nodded her head towards the door to the room, as if to say 'go to her'. I slowly walked to my mother's reading room, Travis started to follow me, but Grandmother kept him with her in the foyer.
"Travis, why don't you come with me into the kitchen, let's see if we can get Helga to make some sandwiches."
I heard their footsteps as they walked to the kitchen, I heard my mother's breathing as I entered the reading room and saw her sitting in her Queen Anne chair. I dreaded the next few moments, but I did my best to hide my feelings. All I could think about was being strong for my mother. My grandmother's words kept reeling around in my head, as I sat on the sofa across from my mother. Her blue-gray eyes looked tired. 'When did her face get all those wrinkles and crevices?' I wondered, as I looked at her, then immediately felt guilty about my thoughts.
"Where's Travis, Dear? Isn't he with you?" Her soft voice rang in my ears.
"Yes, he and Grandmother went into the kitchen to help Helga make something to eat," I answered.
"Oh gosh, where has the time gone today? Is it dinner time already? I have been so preoccupied. What with...," her voice trailed off.
"Mother, don't worry, like Dad always said, we're Rogers, we're tough and steady." I don't know where my courage came from, but my voice actually seemed to shake the windows.
"My goodness, Luke, when did you get to be so mature? You sounded just like him. I know, son; we will get through this. I have spoken in great length with our attorney, and after we sell the house and your father's part of the law firm we will have some money left. I have figured it out; there will be enough to keep you in school, and even some to get you started in college. I guess the only bad thing is we will have to move, and I don't know what we'll be able to afford." Her voice began to break up, and tears flooded those beautiful eyes that looked at me when I was sick, or when she had been proud of me.
I felt my own eyes begin to sting, but I held back my tears, I had to be strong. I stood up from the sofa and quickly walked to her, I bent down and began to hug her so she wouldn't see me crying. I felt her body heave up and down with her emotions, I held her tightly in my arms.
"I love you, Mom," I managed to whisper in her ear.
"Oh, Luke, I love you too," she said, as we broke our embrace. "Let's go see what your grandmother and Helga have going on in the kitchen," she said, as she took me by the hand and led me to the dining room.
"There you are, we were just about to call for you. Betty, why don't you go freshen up a bit, Helga and I are going to have dinner ready in about a half an hour. I know how exhausted you must be," Grandmother said lovingly to my mother.
I looked at the kitchen table; Travis was sitting there looking all lonely and lost. The late afternoon sun was peeking into the window behind him, and his blond hair was reflecting the sunlight. I always liked to watch the sun dance through his soft locks. I smiled at him and motioned him to follow me. I wanted to tell him what my mother had told me, but I wasn't sure what it meant. I mean, she said we would have to move and I would stay in Sacred Heart, but she also said she didn't know what we could afford. All this information seemed conflicting. I mean, what if we had to move out of the city? I began to worry about having to be away from Travis. Then I thought about Helga. What would happen with Helga? I had so many questions, but was too afraid to ask them.
Travis followed me to my bedroom. Our footsteps were slower than usual as we climbed the staircase. I opened my bedroom door and Travis closed it behind us.
"Is everything all right, Buddy?" he asked as he sat on my bed.
I sat right next to him; I looked him square in the eyes and just shook my head. "I really don't know. I just don't know." I sat there for a few minutes, staring blankly off into space somewhere.
"I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I know that everything will be fine, I mean no matter what, Luke, I will always be here for you," he said, his voice was as serious as I had ever heard it.
"Thanks, Travis, I love you," I said, as I was brought back to reality.
"I know, how could you not? After all, who else would put up with you and all your quirks?" he teased.
"Quirks? I have quirks? Hmm, is that what you call it?" I followed his lead.
"Yep, that's what I call it. You are the quirkiest."
"There's no such word." I protested.
He took me in his arms and hugged me gently. Then he rubbed his hands gently over my face. I felt so loved. My eyes closed and I leaned towards him and began to kiss him. I could smell the spring air on his clothing. I ran my fingers through his hair. I couldn't bring myself to tell him about my fear of moving away from him. I just couldn't. I didn't even hear my bedroom door open; I was too engrossed in our kiss.
"Huhm, huhm, excuse me. Did I catch you at a bad time?" I heard Grandmother's voice, it startled me, and that's putting it mildly.
"Well, uhhh..." I stammered, as Travis quickly moved away from me.
"Don't fret it, Luke, I have known for sometime how you and Travis feel about each other. You have nothing to be ashamed of; there is nothing wrong with loving another. There is certainly nothing wrong with showing your love either." Her voice sounded so full of compassion.
"I, uh, I... How did you know?" I finally managed to squeak out.
"Good lord, child, the way you two look at each other. Why, it's the same way your grandfather and I used to look at each other when we were your age. What did you think, I was born this old?" she said, and winked at me. "I just came to see if you were all right. Are you?"
"Well, to be honest, I'm just not sure of anything. I mean, what if we have to move? We don't even know what we'll be able to afford. And what about Helga?" I confessed my worst fear first, I thought I had disguised it rather well.
"Don't worry, Luke, I have a car, and you'll be getting your license soon. No matter where you move to we'll be able to see each other," Travis said, in that serious tone again.
"Is that what you're worried about? Luke, don't worry about that. We all love Travis too much to let a little distance keep him from the family. You have my word that, no matter what, I will always be here to help you. I have money, I'm not broke. Don't worry, you know what they say, `where there is a will there is a way' and even when I'm no longer here, I do have a will." Grandmother reassured me.
"Gee, Buddy, I can't believe you would think that just because you moved I wouldn't see you anymore," Travis said, sounding rather perplexed.
"I guess I just wasn't thinking clearly. You're right, I don't know why I'm so worried about it," I confessed.
"As far as Helga is concerned, she has already agreed to come work for me. God knows I can use her, and I think she's a dear. Luke, we Rogers always take care of those who take care of us, and that includes Helga and Travis," Grandmother stated with full conviction.
I watched her silver hair as she turned to the door; I saw her red lips as they turned up into a huge smile when she turned her head back towards the two of us.
"Oh, one more thing, at some point in the very near future I think you should tell your mother exactly how you and Travis feel about each other. It may be better for her to have a full understanding, so she can better decide what's best for all of you," she explained. Then she walked out the door and closed it behind her.
I was dazed, I mean, all these things happened in just a few minutes, but it seemed like an eternity since Travis and I parked his car. I looked at Travis, my eyes felt like they were wide open. I reached for his hands and pulled his body closer to me on my bed.
"What, is something hanging off my face?" Travis asked, his voice was serious again.
"Yes, me." I said as I began to kiss him again.
**
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
**
Don't worry, this is not the end, we still have a few more chapters to go. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter as much as I did writing it. Let me know what your thoughts are.
My special thanks to Ed for his fine job editing.
As Always,
But not forever,
Just,
Justin<>